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Title: John G. Wright papers,
Date (inclusive): 1933-1977
Collection number: 92003
Creator:
Wright, John G.
Extent:
9 manuscript boxes
(3.75 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Speeches and writings, correspondence, resolutions, theses, and notes, relating to Marxian theory, the translation of works
of Leon Trotsky, Trotskyist activities in the United States and abroad, and analysis of the post-World War II Chinese and
Eastern European states.
Language:
English.
Collection is open for research.
The Hoover Institution Archives only allows access to
copies of audiovisual items. To listen to sound recordings or to view videos or films during your visit, please contact the Archives
at least two working days before your arrival. We will then advise you of the accessibility of the material you wish to see
or hear. Please note that not all audiovisual material is immediately accessible.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives.
[Identification of item], John G. Wright Papers, [Box no.], Hoover Institution Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Archives in 1992.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. To determine if this has occurred, find
the collection in Stanford University's online catalog at
http://searchworks.stanford.edu/ . Materials have been added to the collection if the number of boxes listed in the online catalog is larger than the number
of boxes listed in this finding aid.
| 1902 | Born as Joseph Vanzler in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in the Russian Empire |
| ca. 1914 | Emigrated to the United States |
| 192? | Graduated from Harvard University. Became a professional chemist |
| 1933 | Joined the Communist League of America (subsequently Socialist Workers Party) |
| 1933-1940 | Literary collaborator and translator of Leon Trotsky |
| 1939-1956 | Member, National Committee, Socialist Workers Party |
| 1956 | Died in New York City |
John G. Wright (the political and pen name of Joseph Vanzler) was a leader of the Socialist Workers Party of the United States
from the 1930s to the 1950s. Wright was heavily involved with theoretical, journalistic and publishing-house work of the party.
A polyglot, he translated texts from various languages into English for publication. His collaborative work with Leon Trotsky
was of particular significance. Wright translated many of Trotsky's writings into English for the first time. During Trotsky's
period of residence in Mexico at the end of his life (1937-1940), Wright, in New York City, corresponded with him regularly
and, having access to major American academic libraries, provided him with Russian-language research materials to support
his writing projects, especially his biography of Joseph Stalin. The papers thus shed light on Trotsky's literary activities
and on the publishing history of
Stalin. Post-World War II materials in the collection also document debates within the Trotskyist movement on analysis of the Chinese
and Eastern European states, and the internal struggle within the Socialist Workers Party involving the faction led by Bert
Cochran and George Clarke.
The John G. Wright Papers were formerly housed at the Library of Social History in New York City. The Hoover Institution Archives
acquired them in 1992.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the repository's online public access catalog.
Fourth International.
Socialist Workers Party.
Communism.
Communism--United States.
United States--Politics and government.
China.
Europe, Eastern.
Trotsky, Leon, 1879-1940.